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Buckley’s the one for Eagle County commissioner

Arthur Kittay
Eagle, CO, Colorado
newsroom@vaildaily.com

As a longtime Eagle resident, I know that quality of life matters to myself and my wife, Marcie.

I also know that Eagle County commissioner candidate Debbie Buckley shares that belief, and her voting record proves that. While serving on Avon’s Town Council, Debbie voted with the other members of the council and would not let Avon’s big box stores open until Avon’s new four-way I-70 exit was ready. As a result, Avon has no additional traffic impacts as a result of those two stores.

Eagle has terrible traffic problems, twice every work day with folks going to and coming from work. Just stand in front of the Eagle Diner at 7:30 a.m. and watch the traffic back up. This problem was caused in a large part by commissioner candidate Debbie Buckley’s opponent, Jon Stavney.



While serving on Eagle Town Board, Jon Stavney voted “yes” to approve hundreds of new homes in the Eagle Ranch development with no traffic mitigation plan at all. Nada. None.

Our friends in Edwards would be well advised to pay attention to the voting records of these two commissioner candidates.

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When it comes to proactive leadership, leadership that solves problems before they become major problems ” there is only one candidate that puts your quality of life first. Debbie Buckley’s the one.

Arthur Kittay

Eagle

Minimal influence

We need to shed some light on the property tax issue. The Republican candidates for county commissioner have taken the ever popular issue of lower taxes and distorted reality of the situation beyond all recognition to suit their ambitions.

Here is the real situation:

n The county commissioners have control of just 15 percent of your total tax bill. And they have minimal influence over the other 85 percent comprised of the school district, the towns and dozens of special districts (historically formed by developers to help pay for infrastructure). Each has its own board and its own unique budget issues, and, frankly, would not appreciate county meddling.

n Because two-thirds of all the property value in Eagle County is owned by part-time residents (second home owners), local residents only pay one-third of all property tax. However, locals receive almost all of the county services. That is a pretty good deal. Invest one dollar and get back three.

n State law mandates that local taxpayers cannot get a special lower rate without a change in the Colorado Constitution. Peter Runyon is working at the state House to get this changed to include a “homestead rebate” similar to the state of Florida. He is working on real relief for us locals.

n Dick Gustafson and his partner in disinformation, Debbie Buckley, have signed a pledge to ask the voters to restore the TABOR tax limit on county revenues. What they don’t tell you is that only one-third of any savings will go to Eagle County citizens and that works out to just $10, or two lattes per month per property owner.

Don’t be swayed by distorted election year promises of “lower taxes.” Vote for someone who is committed to and who has worked tirelessly for Eagle County. Vote for Peter Runyon.

Carole Onderdonk Eagle


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